OBSERVATORY : PAUL LUKAS

Paul Lukas's Collection of Tap Handles

The tap handles used to dispense draft beer in bars and restaurants serve three functions: First, they let the customers see which brands of beer are available. Second, they serve as a branding opportunity for the breweries. And of course they need to function effectively as handles.
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OBSERVERS ROOM : JOHN THACKARA

Sweat Equity Infra

It's hard not to be impressed by the Millau Viaduct that's down the road from where I live in France. The tallest bridge in the world boasts an eight-span steel roadway, is supported supported by seven huge concrete pylons, and weighs 36,000 tons.
READ MORE

FROM OUR SPONSORS

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Society, the economy and the context for design are rapidly changing — providing new opportunities for designers who are prepared for the complexities of the future. Attend the "Pivot: AIGA Design Conference" this fall in Phoenix for inspiration, incredible networking and actionable insights on the changing design industry.
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OBSERVERS ROOM : ALEXANDRA LANGE

An Atlas of Possibility

"Wouldn't it be great if...": By the City/For the City asks you how to improve New York.
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CHANGE OBSERVER : JULIE LASKY

Ringing in the New Air

Isetan, the venerable Tokyo department store, is doing its bit for the atmosphere.
READ MORE

OBSERVERS ROOM : RICK POYNOR

On My Shelf: Stefan Lorant's Lilliput

Stefan Lorant, one of the founding fathers of photojournalism, was already a highly experienced editor and art director when he launched Lilliput magazine in London. He would take two pictures that resembled each other in some formal and/or thematic manner and place them side by side on the spread. These unexpected pairings can be wry, funny, bizarre, whimsical, satirical and not always kind.
READ MORE

CHANGE OBSERVER : MARIA POPOVA

A Voice for LGBTQ in the Middle East

Conversation with the activist Esra'a Al Shafei, founder of the website Ahwaa.org.
READ MORE

OBSERVERS ROOM : MARK LAMSTER

World War II and the Challenge of the Rational

Curators Jean-Louis Cohen and Mirko Zardini have already offered readers of Design Observer a glimpse at the camouflage section of their exhibition on architecture and World War II, "Architecture in Uniform." If that hasn't already encouraged you to visit the CCA, or at least purchase the show's excellent catalog, my review in the latest issue of AR should be another prod in that direction.
READ MORE

PLACES : MARTIN HOGUE

A Short History of the Campsite

"There is a satisfying immediacy about establishing an encampment for the night — clearing the site, erecting the tent, chopping wood, building a fire and cooking over the live flame — that in turn suggests a meaningful connection to landscape, place and the rugged life of backwoods adventurers.... This summer millions of Americans will take to the road in search of this powerful experience of nature." As the summer vacation season begins, Martin Hogue traces a history of the campsite, from early 20th-century wilderness camps to today's domesticated campgrounds, where the amenities include mini-golf and wi-fi.
READ MORE

OBSERVERS ROOM : JOHN THACKARA

From Ecstasy to Exergy: Running Out of Easy Copper

Built in 1978 by German steel company Krupp, the giant Bagger 288 was designed for open mining trenching. It took more than five years and $100 million to design and manufacture. It can move more than 76,000 cubic meters (~2,700,000 cubic ft) of coal, rock, and earth in a day.
READ MORE

CHANGE OBSERVER : ROBIN CEMBALEST

Assuming the Position: The Art of Gustav Metzger

The picture is among various images of tragedies — the Holocaust, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Vietnam War — that, since 1990, Metzger has covered, blocked with rubble, or otherwise obscured, forcing us to make an active effort to see them.
READ MORE

OBSERVER MEDIA : ANDREW SLOAT

Winterhouse: A Video

Andrew Sloat wrote and directed this short film about Winterhouse, the studio of William Drenttel and Jessica Helfand. It was made for the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame in 2010.
READ MORE

OBSERVATORY : JOHN FOSTER

Accidental Mysteries, 05.29.11

Accidental Mysteries, a weekly cabinet of visual curiosities curated by John Foster, highlights images of design, art, architecture and ephemera brought to light by the magic of the digital age.
READ MORE

OBSERVERS ROOM : ALEXANDRA LANGE

On GOOD: Why Are Car Seats So Poorly Designed?

The bad design of the car seat isn't just a problem for parents. It scales.
READ MORE

CHANGE OBSERVER : BY ALEXIA

My Studio H Experience

Adventures in design crits: A high school junior recounts her Studio H year working with onerous classmates and power tools.
READ MORE


WEEKLY EMAIL: JUNE 02, 2011
FEATURED THIS WEEK : HELEN WALTERS Design and Business Education: The System Is Not Good Enough In the past few years, there have been interesting attempts from within both business and design schools to elevate the potential of design and creative thinking as drivers of differentiated value. Yet there are still relatively few graduates from these programs, and their impact and efficacy remain inconclusive. READ MORE
OBSERVATORY : PAUL LUKAS Paul Lukas's Collection of Tap Handles The tap handles used to dispense draft beer in bars and restaurants serve three functions: First, they let the customers see which brands of beer are available. Second, they serve as a branding opportunity for the breweries. And of course they need to function effectively as handles. READ MORE OBSERVERS ROOM : JOHN THACKARA Sweat Equity Infra It's hard not to be impressed by the Millau Viaduct that's down the road from where I live in France. The tallest bridge in the world boasts an eight-span steel roadway, is supported supported by seven huge concrete pylons, and weighs 36,000 tons. READ MORE FROM OUR SPONSORS Mohawk launches new Recommendations section: Use the online Paper Wizard and find the perfect paper for the project. Design Observer readers get 10% off! Enter THX10 at checkout. Recommendations Wizard >> Special for Design Observer readers >> Mohawk Fine Papers >> Society, the economy and the context for design are rapidly changing — providing new opportunities for designers who are prepared for the complexities of the future. Attend the "Pivot: AIGA Design Conference" this fall in Phoenix for inspiration, incredible networking and actionable insights on the changing design industry. Learn more about "Pivot" here >> Register for the conference now >> OBSERVERS ROOM : ALEXANDRA LANGE An Atlas of Possibility "Wouldn't it be great if...": By the City/For the City asks you how to improve New York. READ MORE CHANGE OBSERVER : JULIE LASKY Ringing in the New Air Isetan, the venerable Tokyo department store, is doing its bit for the atmosphere. READ MORE OBSERVERS ROOM : RICK POYNOR On My Shelf: Stefan Lorant's Lilliput Stefan Lorant, one of the founding fathers of photojournalism, was already a highly experienced editor and art director when he launched Lilliput magazine in London. He would take two pictures that resembled each other in some formal and/or thematic manner and place them side by side on the spread. These unexpected pairings can be wry, funny, bizarre, whimsical, satirical and not always kind. READ MORE CHANGE OBSERVER : MARIA POPOVA A Voice for LGBTQ in the Middle East Conversation with the activist Esra'a Al Shafei, founder of the website Ahwaa.org. READ MORE OBSERVERS ROOM : MARK LAMSTER World War II and the Challenge of the Rational Curators Jean-Louis Cohen and Mirko Zardini have already offered readers of Design Observer a glimpse at the camouflage section of their exhibition on architecture and World War II, "Architecture in Uniform." If that hasn't already encouraged you to visit the CCA, or at least purchase the show's excellent catalog, my review in the latest issue of AR should be another prod in that direction. READ MORE PLACES : MARTIN HOGUE A Short History of the Campsite "There is a satisfying immediacy about establishing an encampment for the night — clearing the site, erecting the tent, chopping wood, building a fire and cooking over the live flame — that in turn suggests a meaningful connection to landscape, place and the rugged life of backwoods adventurers.... This summer millions of Americans will take to the road in search of this powerful experience of nature." As the summer vacation season begins, Martin Hogue traces a history of the campsite, from early 20th-century wilderness camps to today's domesticated campgrounds, where the amenities include mini-golf and wi-fi. READ MORE OBSERVERS ROOM : JOHN THACKARA From Ecstasy to Exergy: Running Out of Easy Copper Built in 1978 by German steel company Krupp, the giant Bagger 288 was designed for open mining trenching. It took more than five years and $100 million to design and manufacture. It can move more than 76,000 cubic meters (~2,700,000 cubic ft) of coal, rock, and earth in a day. READ MORE CHANGE OBSERVER : ROBIN CEMBALEST Assuming the Position: The Art of Gustav Metzger The picture is among various images of tragedies — the Holocaust, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Vietnam War — that, since 1990, Metzger has covered, blocked with rubble, or otherwise obscured, forcing us to make an active effort to see them. READ MORE OBSERVER MEDIA : ANDREW SLOAT Winterhouse: A Video Andrew Sloat wrote and directed this short film about Winterhouse, the studio of William Drenttel and Jessica Helfand. It was made for the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame in 2010. READ MORE OBSERVATORY : JOHN FOSTER Accidental Mysteries, 05.29.11 Accidental Mysteries, a weekly cabinet of visual curiosities curated by John Foster, highlights images of design, art, architecture and ephemera brought to light by the magic of the digital age. READ MORE OBSERVERS ROOM : ALEXANDRA LANGE On GOOD: Why Are Car Seats So Poorly Designed? The bad design of the car seat isn't just a problem for parents. It scales. READ MORE CHANGE OBSERVER : BY ALEXIA My Studio H Experience Adventures in design crits: A high school junior recounts her Studio H year working with onerous classmates and power tools. READ MORE		BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK \| FOLLOW US ON TWITTER The leading health conference where design matters. Register today >> Learn more now. Visit MPS/Branding site today >> Use our online Paper Wizard. Design Observer readers get 10% off their next order >> Register by the early deadline and save up to $200. Pivot the AIGA Design Conference >> AUDIO: DESIGN MATTERS ARCHIVE Gordon Hull An all music show with DJ and designer Gordon Hull, co-founder of the firm Surface to Air. Listen >> More Design Matters Archive >> CHANGE OBSERVER: PROJECT ARCHIVE Déjà Vu Designer Chaz Maviyane-Davies on the reappearance of an old invention. READ MORE OBSERVATORY ARCHIVE Cartophily On Arranging Books by Color Civilian Typography PLACES ARCHIVE: WINTER 1983 An Interview with James Turrell A 1983 interview with James Turrell, then beginning his transformation of the Roden Crater. The monumental work is scheduled to open to the public in 2012. READ MORE CHANGE OBSERVER: RESOURCES Academic Programs >> Competitions >> Conferences & Events >> Fellowships & Prizes >> Organizations >> Programs & Initiatives >> Publications & Websites >> Social Networks >> RECENT BOOKS RECEIVED Japanese Fantasy Manga Ricorico Redesigning Leadership John Maeda Manufacturing a Socialist Modernity Kimberly Elman Zarecor
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WEEKLY EMAIL: JUNE 02, 2011

FEATURED THIS WEEK : HELEN WALTERS

OBSERVATORY : PAUL LUKAS

OBSERVERS ROOM : JOHN THACKARA

FROM OUR SPONSORS

OBSERVERS ROOM : ALEXANDRA LANGE

CHANGE OBSERVER : JULIE LASKY

OBSERVERS ROOM : RICK POYNOR

CHANGE OBSERVER : MARIA POPOVA

OBSERVERS ROOM : MARK LAMSTER

PLACES : MARTIN HOGUE

OBSERVERS ROOM : JOHN THACKARA

CHANGE OBSERVER : ROBIN CEMBALEST

OBSERVER MEDIA : ANDREW SLOAT

OBSERVATORY : JOHN FOSTER

OBSERVERS ROOM : ALEXANDRA LANGE

CHANGE OBSERVER : BY ALEXIA

AUDIO: DESIGN MATTERS ARCHIVE

CHANGE OBSERVER: PROJECT ARCHIVE

OBSERVATORY ARCHIVE

PLACES ARCHIVE: WINTER 1983

CHANGE OBSERVER: RESOURCES

RECENT BOOKS RECEIVED